The 4 Steps to Apply for a PMP Certification

If you have decided to become a PMP® and have met the eligibility criteria, you begin with the PMP application process. Because the PMP application is quite an involved process, PMP experts recommend that you gather all the relevant information related to your PMP application before you begin.

In this article, we will take you through the steps to apply for the exam and some tips for completing your application form.

There are four steps to applying for the PMP credential:

Completing the online application

Paying the fee

Completing the PMP audit process

Scheduling your PMP exam

Completing the Online Application

When applying for any of their credentials, the Project Management Institute (PMI)® encourages every candidate to utilize the online certification system. Printable application forms are available on the site.

Before beginning make sure you meet the requirements. The necessary information will be recorded in the application. Once the application process has begun, it cannot be cancelled; however, an unfinished document can be saved and completed later.

The PMP application form will be open for 90 days, during which PMI will send you reminders to complete the application process. Though the organization sends several reminders, the responsibility lies on you to schedule and appear for the exam within one-year eligibility period.

The timeline of processing an application is dependent on how the application is submitted: online or on paper through the mail. The table below shows the details of the processing period.

Paying the Fee

The cost is dependent on your PMI membership status and the examination delivery type for specific geographic locations. The exam comes at a discounted rate for members; you must be a PMI member before you make your payment. If you apply for membership just before the payment period, you will need to first verify being a member. If the membership is not processed completely, you will be charged the non-member rate.

The table below shows the payments methods you can use.

Once the online application is processed and complete, the PMI will send an electronic notification requesting the payment. Once your payment has been received, you’ll receive one of the following notifications:

Instructions that will help you schedule your exam

The application has been randomly selected randomly for the PMI’s audit process

Enter the “PMI® Eligibility ID” and the first four letters of your last name.

Select a preferred test center.

Select an exam date and time.

Confirm the contact details.

Review the appointment details.

Take note of your examination confirmation details and the unique 16 digit confirmation number displayed.

Keep this information safely. The information will also be sent through an email notification.

Rescheduling Your PMP Exam

If you have already scheduled the exam but need to shift dates, you are allowed to reschedule your exam up to two days prior to your originally schedule exam date and time. However, an administration fee may apply according to the following fee agreement: